Chapter 595: Chapter 595: My Name Is Liu Ji, Remember That

The new county magistrate woke up after a night’s sleep, and Old Servant Wen brought warm breakfast to the back hall of the government office. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Village Chief Qin, the lord has ordered me to bring some food..."

The old servant’s words suddenly stopped, because he saw a scene not appropriate for the setting in front of the desk in the back hall. His old eyes widened abruptly.

The one he referred to as Village Chief Qin was sitting lazily with crossed legs on the desk covered with a quilt. Her clothes couldn’t be described as untidy, but rather very disheveled.

Behind her was Liu Junren, holding a small mirror for his wife while skillfully combing her hair with a comb in the other hand.

Such a scene of intimate love between husband and wife suddenly appearing openly in the back hall caught Old Servant Wen completely off guard. He froze at the doorway, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

The couple turned to the sound and looked over. Their gazes met, and the couple stared back candidly, finding his reaction odd.

"This is breakfast. Village Chief, please have breakfast first. I’ll come back later. The lord has awakened and I’ll lead you to see him soon."

He placed the breakfast down and hurriedly left.

Liu Ji looked puzzled, tied the cloth towel on Qin Yao’s head, recreating eighty percent of her hairstyle from yesterday, and let her look in the mirror to see if she was satisfied.

"It’s okay, it’s passable." Qin Yao reluctantly was satisfied but found Yin Le’s craftsmanship infinitely better.

She stood up, tidied her messy clothes from sleeping, opened the breakfast left by Old Servant Wen, and saw fresh hot soy milk and small crispy fried dough sticks with side dishes. The portions were ample, suggesting that inquiries had been made about her appetite before coming.

Being able to have a full meal made Qin Yao very happy. She signaled Liu Ji to stop looking at his face all the time and come over to eat. After eating, they could meet Lord County Magistrate, complete their tasks early, and go home early.

The scent of food wafted over, and Liu Ji reluctantly put down his small mirror, combed his tousled hair neatly with a small wooden comb, and dined with his wife.

As for why he woke up on the floor rather than on the desk covered with a quilt, a wise man never actively finds trouble for himself, just let it disappear like the wind!

Old Servant Wen estimated the time and returned, bringing the couple to the former Song Family mansion.

This courtyard was prepared by the government office for the county magistrate and his family. The previous occupants had left, and the new county magistrate had brought only two people, leaving it empty and quiet.

Following the old servant to the main courtyard flower hall, the new master was still settling in, with only a set of guest chairs and tables and two flower stands. Wen Changli was seated at the main position, appearing fully recovered.

Qin Yao and Liu Ji entered to greet Lord County Magistrate, but they were called up before they finished bowing.

Last night, the darkness and strong wind made him faint directly afterward, so Wen Changli hadn’t clearly seen Qin Yao’s appearance. Now, clearly seeing her cold and elegant visage, fit but not fat, he found it hard to associate her with being a strongman.

But the breakfast sent for her was enough for four or five people, so, as the couple sat down, Wen Changli immediately asked with concern: "Miss Qin, did you have enough for breakfast?"

Qin Yao nodded, "I am full, thank you, Lord, for preparing the breakfast. The portions were very adequate."

Wen Changli glanced at her waist and abdomen, finding her belt was tied, seemingly no different from ordinary people, even narrower and leaner. If it weren’t impolite, he would have asked where all the food she ate went.

However, ultimately, these details were unimportant. What mattered was that last night at Liao Feng Mountain, it was thanks to her that he remained unscathed.

Wen Changli signaled to the old servant, who understood and presented the thank-you gift prepared early this morning to Qin Yao and her husband.

"Last night, thanks to Miss Qin helping save my lord, this is a pair of Mandarin Duck Jade Pendants. We’ve heard about the loving bond between Miss Qin and Scholar Liu. My lord specifically chose this pair as a token of our gratitude, hoping you won’t find it unworthy."

In fact, this was the pair of jade pendants hurriedly switched after returning from the back hall.

Initially, he only prepared a ring jade, but then the old servant returned and informed him about the excessively affectionate conduct between Village Chief Qin and her husband in broad daylight, almost embarrassing the old servant to death.

So, gifting a pair of Mandarin Duck Jade Pendants to a loving couple was considered fulfilling a perfect match.

Wen Changli felt this gift was very thoughtful, secretly anticipating the recipients’ reaction.

He thought the couple would be both excited and shy, perhaps sharing a loving smile, and then stand up to offer thanks.

Unexpectedly, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Actually, Liu Ji was very pleased with the gift, not for any symbolism but simply because the jade looked good and, presumably, was valuable.

However! Sneaking a glance at the beside him completely unaffected and even somewhat disdainful tyrant wife, he could only firmly hold his hand and remain silent.

"Miss Qin, are you not satisfied?" Waiting for a long time without seeing any expected reaction, Wen Changli couldn’t endure the awkward silence and took the initiative to break the deadlock.

Qin Yao sighed lightly, stood up, and spoke earnestly: "My lord, it’s not dissatisfaction, but rather a simple deed hardly deserving such a grand gift, causing inner unease."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ji’s eyes widened instantly, thinking, ’That’s you, Qin Yao, advancing by retreating, brilliant! Truly brilliant!’

Wen Changli was startled, seeing Qin Yao firmly push the gift back, determined not to accept it, he was quite surprised.

Qin Yao yanked Liu Ji upright, bowed with hands clasped, "Lord, since you are safe now, my task is complete. There are many village affairs to attend to, so I must take my leave."

Saying this, she turned and strode out of the room.

Liu Ji froze for a moment, thinking about the strategy of advancing by retreating—why was she really leaving now?!

He hadn’t even said a word to the lord yet!

But as the head of the household had already left, he, a mere soldier, couldn’t stay. Liu Ji could only leave, turning back every few steps, loudly shouting to the new county magistrate, "The rescue at Liao Feng Mountain night, remember my name is Liu Ji, my lord—!"

He kept shouting until he reached the doorway, ensuring the other party could no longer hear his voice before stopping.

Qin Yao was already several meters ahead, and Liu Ji quickly caught up, complaining unhappily, "Lady, what kind of game are you playing this time? Gratitude is gratitude and thank-you gifts are thank-you gifts. Even if we take the thank-you gift, the lord will still remember our favor. Why act so superior and refuse it... I saw that pair of Mandarin Duck Jade Pendants was of good quality, had good symbolism, and could be worth ten plus silver coins."

The incessant chatter in his ear startled Qin Yao into stopping suddenly, almost causing Liu Ji to bump into her. He hurriedly stumbled backward, staring at her in horror, weakly asking, "Lady, what do you want? Did you leave something behind?"

Qin Yao was amused by his insipid cowardice, snorting and saying, "He only came with a cart and an old servant, clearly not wealthy. Why take his things for such a small amount of silver, making him think the favor is settled? Just let him keep this favor in mind for now."

She considered the village chief was not young, and if he retired during Wen Changli’s three-year term, the favor left with Wen Changli could be very useful.